The Broncos signed key reserve defensive end John Engelberger Monday to a three-year deal. He received a signing bonus worth $750,000.

“John is thrilled,” said his agent, Robert Lattinville. “He feels at home in Denver.”

The signing of Engelberger continues a flurry of re-signings by the Broncos. Center Tom Nalen signed a three-year deal Feb. 1, and reserve safety Sam Brandon signed a four-year deal on Feb. 9 that voids into a two-year contract. Denver is the only team to re-sign three unrestricted free agents this offseason.

Lepsis and Warren now become the focus. Talks with Lepsis and Warren are ongoing, and the team is hopeful it will re-sign both by March 3, when free agency begins. It’s likely talks with both players will intensify this weekend in Indianapolis, when the team and the agents are at the NFL combine. The team is not likely to use the franchise tag on either player.

Another vital order of business for the Broncos is restructuring the contracts for starting defensive ends Trevor Pryce and Courtney Brown.

The team is expecting to re-sign Burns, Leach and Dayne when free agency begins. Because they signed one-year contracts worth the veteran minimum, the players can’t re-sign until their contracts expire. The Broncos also have been talking to Chukwurah and Pope. Both will likely test the open market.

Engelberger was guaranteed to become a free agent when he reached the 25 percent play plateau in December, voiding the final year of his contract. He was acquired in a trade from San Francisco for cornerback Willie Middlebrooks last July.

Engelberger’s contract will void after the 2007 season if he plays at least 25 percent of the time in both of the next two years or 45 percent in either of the next two seasons. His salaries for the next two seasons are $1.050 million and $1.365 million. Engelberger is expected to be a key backup, and he will be especially valuable with the retirement of Marco Coleman.

Footnote

Vice president of ticket operations/business development Rick Nichols has left the team to pursue other opportunities.

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